The Last Beacon

XLII

The night was well underway by the time that Sascha had somewhat come to her senses.

She hadn't gone far from the clearing, since the trees did not cover much area before the ground dropped away into sheer cliffs. She had gone far enough though that she was hidden, and far from earshot of the clearing.

Sascha had sat at the base of a tree on the edge of the cliff, staring out into the world that was silenced by the emergence of the moon. The cool air stung her tear-stained cheeks, causing her skin to prickle in discomfort. The sensation was the only thing grounding her, for she was otherwise lost in thought, staring numbly out into the continent below. The cloud bank had cleared since she last saw it, so she could see everything from where she sat.

The blinking lights of Rabael shone in the distance, and Sascha could only just make out the shape of the Great Forest of Shaa from the light of the moon.

She rested her head back on the trunk of the tree, unable to wrap her head around what she had done.

I killed him, I killed Laurenz. How could I do that? I'm a murderer. Nobody will accept me now.

Her mind then drifted to Decius. She still could not believe that he was her brother.

I'm the sister he told me about back in Rabael. He really sounded like he cared, but is that really true? No brother should beat his sister senseless to prove a point, she thought, her thoughts trapped in a vicious cycle, but who am I kidding? I'm no better than him. I killed Laurenz, how much lower can I get?

Sascha sighed shakily, rolling her head forward so that she was looking at the ground.

I've barely been feeling the guilt for my actions, why is it hitting me now? I wish I could get away from this feeling, I wish it would go away. I just want to be numb.

Let me get away from this place.

Sascha had poured so much emotion into her thoughts, which led to something that she did not expect.

For a split second, she was blinded. Her entire vision was taken over by an incredibly bright light, and when it faded, she found herself in a place that she did not expect.

She looked around frantically, realising that she was no longer at the top of the Iron Mountain. She got to her feet, her heartbeat quickening.

Did I... Teleport? She wondered, shocked.

As she took in her surroundings, the realisation hit her quickly as she turned and caught sight of the tall, jet black structure.

"The Shadow Tower?" She asked aloud, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"You have returned, I see," a voice said.

"Farallus," Sascha breathed, not having to turn around to know who had spoken.

"Indeed," he confirmed, approaching her and entering her line of sight, "something has gone terribly wrong, hasn't it, child?"

"How did I get here?"

"You are stronger than you know," he said, "do not be surprised at your abilities, they are a part of you. However, there are more pressing matters at hand. What is troubling you?"

"I'm becoming the person I swore I wouldn't. I don't know what exactly everyone said was the wrong choice, but I'm quite sure that it has happened," Sascha said, looking down.

"I suspected that was the case," Farallus mused, "I felt a great tremor in the spirits. You have caused quite a stir, child."

"I didn't mean to," she murmured, her bottom lip quivering, "I couldn't stop myself. I lost control."